Illegal Dumping: PSNI/Garda Siochana Co-operation

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Irish Garda are co-operating to prosecute those who are endangering public health through criminal activity in the area of waste disposal and transportation.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: There are excellent levels of co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Siochana to tackle organised criminals who seek to operate in both jurisdictions. Formal mechanisms are in place for liaison between PSNI and agencies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with regulatory responsibility for combating illegal dumping.

Peace II Programme

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the appropriate European Union (EU) authorities about the apparent inclusion of a former prisoner and member of the Irish Republican Army at a recent presentation for Peace II EU funding in Brussels.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: No. The seminar on the Peace II programme held in the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive, Brussels on 29 September, was jointly organised by that office, the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Special EU Programmes Body and the Irish Regions Office in Brussels. The purpose of the seminar was to show to a European audience how the EU Peace II programme was being implemented.
	It included a presentation on an ex-prisoners project with a cross-community dimension which had benefited from the programme. The organisers regret that this platform presentation was not balanced by the inclusion of a wider range of projects supported under the Peace II programme.

Northern Ireland: Cultural Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each of the last five years, how many festivals have received funding in Northern Ireland for:
	(a) Irish cultural activity; and
	(b) Ulster Scots cultural activity;
	And how much the funding was in each case.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The only body that funds festivals specifically for Irish or Ulster Scots cultural activity is the North/South Language Body, which has provided funding as follows in each of the last five years:
	
		
			 Year Ulster Scots Agency £Stg No. of festivals Foras na Gaeilge No of festivals 
			 2000 1,000 1 15,000 1 
			 2001 51,853 11 36,765 5 
			 2002 37,500 5 52,300 14 
			 2003 40,395 4 40,380 10 
			 2004 30,999 8 17,000 4 
			 Total 161,747 29 161,445 34 
		
	
	Other funders do not assist festivals on the basis of cultural identity, but on the merits of the festival and the extent to which each one meets the objectives of government and the relevant funding body.

Northern Ireland: Parking

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many parking places there are within the urban areas of Newry, Lurgan, Dungannon, Armagh and Portadown.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: I have asked the chief executive of the Roads Service to respond directly to the noble Lord.
	Letter from the Chief Executive of the Roads Agency (Dr McKibbin) to Lord Kilclooney
	You recently asked Her Majesty's Government how many parking places there are within the urban areas of Newry, Lurgan, Dungannon, Armagh and Portadown. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	The figures given below relate to the number of Roads Service controlled off-street spaces for each town identified, and do not include either on-street spaces nor spaces in privately owned car parks (e.g. at shopping centres in Newry or Portadown, or sites managed by councils).
	
		
			   Town Number of off-street car parking spaces   under Roads Service control 
			 Newry 1,368 
			 Lurgan 1,003 (includes Lough Road Park and 
			  Ride/Share site) 
			 Dungannon 567 
			 Armagh 795 
			 Portadown 1,406

Northern Ireland: Catholic and Protestant Unemployment Rates

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the unemployment ratio for (a) Catholics; and (b) Protestants in Northern Ireland; how this has changed since 1985; whether the ratio differs for (i) men and women; and (ii) different age groups; and whether they consider that it is a good indicator of the relative position between Catholics and Protestants in the labour market.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: Information in relation to Catholic and Protestant unemployment rates is available from the Labour Force Survey. The earliest period held for such figures by religion is 1990 and these are set out in the table below. The table shows the most recent annual data available. The unemployment differential was 1.8 in 1990 and 1.9 in 2002. In respect of males the ratio was 2.0 in 1990 and 1.9 in 2002, comparative figures for females were 1.5 and 1.9.
	For both sexes aged 16 to 39 the differential was 1.6 in 1990 and 1.5 in 2002, comparative figures for those aged 40 years and over were 2.3 and 2.7.
	The unemployment differential expressed as a ratio describes the relative size of one community's attribute (in this case unemployment) to the other community. By definition, it is a simple reflection of relative positions. It therefore fails to reflect the size of the absolute position. However, used in conjunction with other measures it represents one of a range of labour market indicators.
	:TITLE3:Unemployment Differential expressed as a ratio between Catholics and Protestants(all economically active 16+)
	
		
			   
			  Males Females Both Sexes Both Sexes 16-39 Both Sexes 40+ 
			 1990 2.0 1.5 1.8 1.6 2.3 
			 1991 2.5 2.1 2.4 2.3 2.4 
			 1992 2.4 1.3 2.0 2.1 1.6 
			 1993 2.1 1.5 1.9 1.9 1.7 
			 1994 2.0 1.4 1.9 1.8 1.9 
			 1995 2.0 1.9 2.0 1.8 2.1 
			 1996 1.6 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 
			 1997 2.9 1.4 2.3 2.2 2.5 
			 1998 2.3 1.4 1.9 1.8 2.0 
			 1999 1.9 1.6 1.8 1.5 2.3 
			 2000 1.6 1.9 1.7 1.5 2.1 
			 2001 2.0 1.5 1.8 1.6 2.0 
			 2002 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.5 2.7 
		
	
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	1. Sampling Error
	Because the LFS is a sample survey, results are subject to sampling error, ie the actual proportion of the population with a particular characteristic may differ from the proportion of the LFS sample with that characteristic. Accordingly, although percentages in tables are quoted to the nearest decimal point, they should not be regarded as having this degree of accuracy.
	2. Unemployment Differential expressed as a ratio
	The unemployment differential expressed as a ratio is the percentage of the economically active population aged 16+ who are unemployed on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) measure for Catholics divided by that for Protestants.

Northern Ireland: Catholic and Protestant Unemployment Rates

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any public body in Northern Ireland has researched the unemployment ratio for Catholics and for Protestants; what views if any were reached, and by which body; and whether they will publish the results of any such research.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: A susbtantial body of research has been conducted on the unemployment rates for Catholics and for Protestants. The research indicates that a range of factors may underpin the difference in unemployment rates (and therefore the unemployment ratio) including characteristics such as age, marital status, number of children, family experience of unemployment, housing tenure and educational qualifications; regional factors such as area of residence, sectoral performance and demographic factors such as labour force growth and migration and the "chill" factor. The role of discrimination in contributing to the differential remains an area of continued debate.
	Recently published views by academics on the ratio suggest that economic inactivity, rather than unemployment should be given greater attention. There is ongoing research in this area commissioned by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister which is due to report in early 2005.

Northern Ireland: Post-primary School Admissions

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that the Northern Ireland Department of Education's proposals on the admission criteria for post-primary school places will not be made during December in view of the Christmas holiday.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: In taking forward the consultation on admissions criteria for post-primary schools, the Department of Education in Northern Ireland will take full account of the Christmas holiday period.

Northern Ireland: Freedom of Information Act

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they are making to ensure that all files in Northern Ireland are available for inspection from 1 January 2005; and what steps are they taking to ensure that the records are not altered before that date.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The Freedom of Information Act 2000 entitles any person making a request for information to a public authority to be informed whether the authority holds the information described in the request and, if it does, to have that information communicated to him, subject to certain conditions specified in the Act. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the Northern Ireland departments (NICS) have been implementing a Department for Constitutional Affairs' action plan to ensure that they are compliant with the Act.
	NIO and NICS staff have been made aware that anyone who alters, defaces, blocks, erases, destroys or conceals any record held by a public authority, with intent to prevent disclosure, will be guilty of an offence under the Act and liable to a fine. Staff have also been made aware of the code of practice on the management of records under Section 46 of the Act (2002), which sets out practices that public authorities should follow in relation to the creation, keeping, management and destruction of their records.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 4 November (WA 39), whether they have discussed with the Government of Eire the possible effects of the Official Languages Act 2003 on the Ulster-Scots Agency, in Northern Ireland and in Eire.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: As referred to in my Answer given on 5 June 2004 (WA 126), discussions have taken place between relevant officials on a number of occasions.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recognition the Police Service of Northern Ireland gives for salary purposes to past service in the full-time reserve when people are recruited as regular constables.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: If a member of the PSNI full-time reserve is successful in a competition to become a PSNI trainee constable, then their past service is recognised when determining their salary. The rules governing this are set out in the Police Trainee Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001. A copy of these are available in the Library of the House.

Tourism Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the annual report and accounts 2003 for Tourism Ireland, why that body undertook no work to support Ulster Scots cultural tourism into Northern Ireland during 2003; and why the report refers to the island of Ireland's Celtic past but not the Ulster Scots connection.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: In 2003, Tourism Ireland Ltd (TIL) did in fact undertake a number of activities specifically aimed at the Ulster Scots audience in the United States. Advertisements were placed in US-based publications and TIL also distributed Ulster-Scots Agency publications to key players throughout the United States. In addition, research undertaken by TIL in 2003 on the Ulster Scots market was used to inform the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's marketing activities in the current year.
	The reference to "Celtic traditions" is confined to one sentence in the chairman's personal statement.

Civil Partnership Bill

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the cost to public funds of (a) the preparation of the Civil Partnership Bill; (b) the preparation of government amendments to the bill; and (c) briefing of Ministers in relation thereto.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The total cost to public funds of preparing for, and handling of, the Civil Partnership Bill is estimated to be approximately £1,088,000.
	This includes the cross-government co-ordination led by the DTI's women and equality unit, and all associated legal costs since the Bill's introduction.

Custodial Sentences: Child Care Arrangements

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether criminal courts have discretion when imposing custodial sentences on offenders responsible for the care of children to delay the start of the sentence to allow time for the best possible interim care arrangements to be made for those children; and, if not, whether they will introduce legislation to create such discretion.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is no power for courts to delay the start of a custodial sentence in order for offenders to make child care arrangements. However, intermittent custody, introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 allows offenders to serve their prison sentence intermittently either during weekdays or weekends, so that offenders can maintain jobs, caring responsibilities and relationships that contribute to rehabilitation.
	It is legitimate for a court, when deciding on sentence, to take into account the impact of a sentence on other people—including dependent children—as part of the overall picture.

Police: Probationary Constables Firearms Training

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many probationary constables in the United Kingdom, broken down by constabulary, have failed to become police constables in each of the last three years due to having failed firearms training tests.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No probationary constables, in England and Wales, currently receive training in how to use firearms. I understand from the Police Service of Northern Ireland that in the past three years in Northern Ireland, no trainee has failed to become a police constable due to having failed firearms training tests.

Police: Probationary Constables Firearms Training

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many probationary constables in each of the constabularies in the United Kingdom are currently awaiting re-examination for firearms competence.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No probationary constables, in England and Wales, currently receive training in how to use firearms. I understand from the Police Service of Northern Ireland that there are currently 24 trainees awaiting re-examination for firearms competence in Northern Ireland.

Asylum Seekers: Iraqi Nationals

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Iraqis have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in the last 12 months; how many Iraqi asylum seekers have been forcibly removed from the United Kingdom during that period; how many remain in detention or removal centres; and what plans they have for their removal in the coming weeks.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The number of nationals of Iraq who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom between October 2003 and September 2004 are shown in the table.
	
		Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, -- excluding dependants, for nationals of Iraq,October 2003–September 2004 1 Principal applicants
		
			  Applications 
			 Iraq Total Port In Country 
			 October 2003 235 10 220 
			 November 2003 220 15 205 
			 December 2003 130 5 125 
			 January 2004 90 5 85 
			 February 2004 155 15 145 
			 March 2004 95 5 90 
			 April 2004 115 15 95 
			 May 2004 135 10 125 
			 June 2004 160 15 145 
			 July 2004 205 10 200 
			 August 2004 150 5 145 
			 September 2004 120 5 115 
			 Total 1,810 115 1,690 
		
	
	1 Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5.
	The number of nationals of Iraq who have sought asylum at some stage and who were removed from the UK during this same period are shown in the table. The removal figures include both persons who departed the UK after the initiation of enforcement action against them, and persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes operated on our behalf by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
	
		Removals, voluntary departures assisted returns, of asylum -- applicants, excluding dependants, for nationals of Iraq,October 2003–September 2004  1 Principal applicants
		
			 Iraq Removal 2 
			  
			 October 2003 25 
			 November 2003 20 
			 December 2003 20 
			 January 2004 60 
			 February 2004 60 
			 March 2004 90 
			 April 2004 25 
			 May 2004 55 
			 June 2004 50 
			 July 2004 65 
			 August 2004 50 
			 September 2004 75 
			 Total 590 
		
	
	1 Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5.
	2 Figures for October to December 2003 have been estimated due to data quality issues.
	As at 25 September 2004, there were 35 Iraqi asylum seekers recorded as being in detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers. This figure has been rounded to the nearest five and comprises persons detained in removal centres and prison establishments.
	Earlier this year we announced our intention to start enforcing returns to Iraq, and we intend to commence doing so as soon as the necessary practical arrangements are in place. As yet there is no fixed date for enforced returns to commence.
	Information on asylum applications received and persons removed from the UK between October and December 2004 will be available in February 2005 from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Playing Fields

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In line with their planning policy guidelines for open spaces, sport and recreation (PPG 17), how many local authorities have compiled audits of both the supply and demand for playing fields in their localities.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: Planning Policy Guidance note 17 (PPG17) was issued in July 2002. It expects planning authorities to prepare assessments of need for open space and built sports and recreational facilities, and to undertake audits of existing provision as a part of the process of preparing their development plan documents.
	When planning authorities have prepared their development plan documents, they must submit them for an independent examination to ensure that they are sound. An inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister, conducts this examination of the development plan document, which will include a test of the plan's conformity with national planning policy such as PPG17. The recommendations of the inspector are binding on the authority.
	Authorities will also be obliged to monitor and report on the implementation of their plans, developing suitable indicators of performance. So the policies which they prepare to meet the requirements of PPG17 will be subject to this process.
	As part of the normal policy review process the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister aims to carry out an assessment within five years of publication, to look at the extent to which audits of the supply of, and demand for, open space and sports and recreational facilities have been undertaken by local planning authorities in line with the provisions of PPG17.

Fire Service: Radio System

Baroness Harris of Richmond: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the radio system they are putting in place for the fire service is different from that operated by both the police and the ambulance service.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The invitation to submit proposals set out the functional requirements for a national wide-area radio system that meets the operational needs of the fire and rescue service and secures interoperability with the other emergency services. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is conducting an open competition under EU procurement procedures. Companies were invited to put forward their own technical solutions to meet those requirements and the contract is still under negotiation. No technology has been ruled out. A more restrictive procurement process would in the Government's view have been less likely to deliver best value for money.

English Partnerships: Greenwich Peninsula

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by Lord Rooker on 21 June (WS 42), what rights of refusal or control English Partnerships holds over future uses or development of the Millennium Dome or the adjoining 190 acres of land on the Greenwich peninsula under the contracts with Meridian Delta Limited.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: English Partnerships as landlord, has the right to approve any material variations to the planning permission which was granted by the London Borough of Greenwich on 23 February 2004 in respect of the mix and disposition of uses, the volume of floor space, external design issues and anything which may adversely affect EP's prospective economic return. English Partnerships also has the right to satisfy itself that any developer of any part of the overall development on the peninsula has sufficient experience and resources to undertake its proposed development and that all disposals are at no less than market value.

Homelessness

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the current number of homeless people in (a) London; and (b) the whole of the United Kingdom; and
	What were the number of homeless people at Christmas-time in (a) 1980; (b) 1990; and (c) 2000.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: Information collected about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is in respect of households, rather than persons. Estimates of those accepted by local authorities in England and London as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need during the last six months of 1980, the last quarters of 1990 and 2000, and during the second quarter of 2004 (the latest available period) are tabled below:
	
		Households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need1
		
			  England London 
			 1980 (Oct-Dec)2 16,600 4,400 
			 1990 (Oct-Dec) 33,560 9,230 
			 2000 (Oct-Dec) 27,420 7,130 
			 2004 (Apr-June) 32,840 7,420 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 Households eligible under homelessness legislation and found to be unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category.
	2 Estimated, as data were only reported half-yearly; includes a number of non-priority acceptances.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns.
	After being accepted as homeless, a household will be placed in some form of accommodation. They may be placed in temporary accommodation, until a settled solution becomes available, or they may be given a settled solution straight away depending on the accommodation available to the local authority. Alternatively, if possible, the household may remain in their current accommodation (homeless at home), until a settled solution becomes available.
	Information is also collected, since 1998, on the number of people who sleep rough—that is, those who are literally roofless—on a single night in June. The following table shows information for England and London.
	
		Number of people sleeping rough
		
			
			  England London 
			 1998 1,850 621 
			 1999 1,633 635 
			 2000 1,180 546 
			 2001 703 357 
			 2002 596 321 
			 2003 504 267 
			 2004 508 265 
		
	
	For corresponding information in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, I refer the noble Lord to the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Reserve Forces: Weapons Refresher Training

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the standard programme of weapons refreshment training which reservists are expected to undertake on embodiment; how many days are required for this training; and what proportion of relevant reservists embodied since 1 January 2003 have undertaken the full programme.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The type of weapons refresher training provided on mobilisation is dependent on the reservist's specialisation and whether there is a requirement to carry personal weapons where the reservist is to serve. For example, for Op TELIC those who were mobilised to fill key positions in headquarters in the UK, key enablers who manned ports or airheads in the UK or welfare officers mobilised to support reservists' families in the UK were not required to undertake such training. The carriage of a personal weapon would not have been necessary for the tasks they were to perform.
	Due to these factors, ascertaining what proportion of mobilised reservists have undertaken weapons refresher training since 1 January 2003 would involve consulting individual unit and personnel records. This would be a considerable task which could only be undertaken at disproportionate effort.
	Where weapons training is required, the programme of small arms refresher training for mobilised reservists is the same as that provided to regular servicemen before they are deployed on operations. The training consists of weapon handling tests to satisfy weapon safety procedures and corrective individual weapon firing. This training is usually completed as part of a wider pre-deployment training programme the length of which is determined by the role of the reservist and the operation they are to support. Remedial training is provided for those who fail to reach the required standards. All reservists who are required to carry personal weapons receive the appropriate training before deployment.
	Evidence given at the recent court martial of Lance Corporal Blaymire and Lance Corporal Sherratt suggests that, during the mobilisation for earlier deployments to Iraq, a decision was taken at the Army's Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre (RTMC) that for two elements of the weapons handling tests (loading a magazine and wind tables, neither of which is related to safety) performance at "average" instead of "skilled" would be sufficient for the then operational requirement. While this did not accord strictly with the stated standards required, this decision reflected professional military judgment at the time.
	Since 4 October 2004, RTMC has directed that stated policy be followed. We are identifying those deployed in Iraq who passed the two modules at "average" and will judge the need, if any, for additional in-theatre training, but I should stress that safety has not been compromised and acceptance of the "average" standard was viewed by those who were professionally responsible for training at the time as appropriate. This is borne out by our Operation Telic "Lessons Identified" records, which contain no comments from operational commanders about safety deficiency with regard to personal weapon handling among deployed TA personnel.

Pyridostigmine Bromide and Organophosphates

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 1 November (WA 8), what are the short-term health effects associated with the ingestion of pyridostigmine bromide; and how they differ from those of exposure to organophosphates; and
	Whether the combined ingestion of repeated doses of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) and dermal exposure to, inhalation or ingestion of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) would have any different human health effect from ingestion of PB alone or exposure to OPs alone; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 1 November (WA 8), whether the fact that no case of acute organophosphate poisoning was recorded in United Kingdom troops in the Gulf in 1990–91 indicates that no cases occurred at that time, in the light of the statements in Health and Safety Executive guidance note MS17 concerning the difficulty of diagnosis.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The main side effects of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) may include: nausea, vomiting, increased salivation, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. PB acts by temporarily and incompletely blocking the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Thus, any side effects are temporary. The acute effects of organophosphate (OP) pesticides, in sufficient dose, may include giddiness, anxiety, restlessness, headache, confusion, failure to concentrate, respiratory depression, excesive salivation, sweating, miosis, loss of bladder control, bradycardia, hypertension, tachycardia, tremor and paralysis. The severity and magnitude of these effects depends on the particular organosphosphate chemical involved and the route and extent of exposure.
	Although the precise mechanisms are different, both PB and OP pesticides in sufficiently high dose are inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. The effects of combinations of the substances in humans are unknown and are diffficult to study.
	The Health and Safety Executive guidance note MS17 cautions that OP pesticide-induced symptoms associated with the central nervous system (giddiness, anxiety, retlessness, headache, confusion, failure to concentrate, respiratory depression) may not be easily detected. The primary risk from exposure to OP pesticides used in the 1990–91 Gulf conflict would have been to environmental health personnel applying the pesticides. The Armed Forces and service medical personnel on deployment would be likely to be more atttuned to symptoms of ill health, and any possible link to handling of pesticides than might be the case in other situations.

Future Rapid Effects System

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the planned in-service date of the future rapid effects system.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The future rapid effects system (FRES) is now in its initial assessment phase. A contract for the Systems House role for the FRES programme has been awarded to Atkins who, under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), will be leading a number of key activities designed to inform MOD's major programme decisions.
	Part of this assessment phase work will be to identify and reduce risk in the programme to enable us to define an appropriate in-service date (ISD) in both capability and programme terms for endorsement at Main Gate. The ISD will not be formally endorsed until then, but our initial planning assumption is to introduce the early variants of FRES around the end of the decade, with a phased approach to achieving full operational capability.

Reserve Forces: Demobilisation and Reinstatement

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Volunteer Reserve Sergeant Airman No. T2662568 was supported by the Ministry of Defence in his claim to return to his civilian employment at his original status and salary.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: Responsibility for any volunteer reservist being demobilised following a period of mobilised service rests with her or his unit. All reservists are issued with a copy of JSP 532 A guide for reservists seeking reinstatement in civilian employment following a period of mobilised service, which gives guidance on how to seek reinstatement and the redress available should the employer fail to meet their statutory obligations. Each reserve unit has a unit employment support officer who should be the reservist's first port of call in accessing advice on employment-related matters. Reservists may also make use of the Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) helpline and website, or contact an employer support executive (now replaced by regional SaBRE campaign directors) within each reserve forces and cadet association, for additional information and advice. We have no reason to believe any of these resources were unavailable to Sergeant Airman No. T2662568.

Reserve Forces: Demobilisation and Reinstatement

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provision is made under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 for legal representation of reservists in reinstatement committee proceedings; and
	How the remedies available from a reinstatement committee under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 compare to those available under other legislation for a claim of unfair dismissal; and
	How the allocation of legal expenses arising from a reinstatement committee under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 varies from that available under other legislation for a claim of unfair dismissal.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: Provision for reinstatement committees is established under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985, with the relevant regulations governing their operation being the Reinstatement in Civil Employment (Procedure) Regulations 1944 (SI 1944/880). The reinstatement committee system is closely aligned with that in place for the consideration of unfair dismissal claims in employment tribunals, and is administered by the Employment Tribunal Service.
	Reinstatement committees can order that an applicant should be reinstated and/or compensated. Reinstatement means a return to the applicant's old job on no less favourable terms and conditions than would have applied had he not entered service or, if this is not reasonable and practicable, to the most favourable job on the most favourable terms and conditions that are reasonable and practicable. Compensation is for loss suffered and cannot exceed the amount of pay the applicant would have been entitled to receive had the employer discharged his obligations towards him under the Act. Failure to reinstate further to an order renders an employer liable to summary conviction and the payment of further compensation. Such compensation is for loss suffered and cannot exceed the amount of pay the applicant would have been entitled to receive from the employer had the employer discharged his obligations towards him under the order.
	The regulations provide that an applicant may be represented at the sitting of the Reinstatement committee by counsel or solicitor, but there is no requirement for individuals to be so represented. The reinstatement committees are designed to be informal, and individuals may represent themselves, as several have successfully done. There is no provision for costs to be awarded against either party under the Act or the regulations.
	An employment tribunal may order reinstatement or re-engagement and/or the payment of compensation in unfair dismissal claims. Reinstatement in the case of an employment tribunal means a return to the applicant's old job on no less favourable terms and conditions than would have applied had he not been dismissed. Re-engagement means re-employment in employment comparable to that from which he was dismissed or other suitable employment on terms which are, so far as is reasonably practicable, as favourable as an order for reinstatement would confer. Compensation is awarded for the actual financial loss suffered as the result of the unfair dismissal in such amount as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances (subject to a statutory maximum of £55,000) and for loss of job security. If a reinstatement or re-engagement order is not complied with, the ultimate remedy is additional compensation which need not be directly related to the employee's loss but may be penal.
	An employment tribunal which considers a claim of unfair dismissal has no general power to award costs against either party. They may, however, be awarded where, in the opinion of the tribunal:
	(i) a party has in bringing the proceedings, or a party or a party's representative has in conducting the proceedings, acted vexatiously, abusively, disruptively or otherwise unreasonably; or
	(ii) the bringing or conducting of the proceedings by a party has been misconceived.

Reserve Forces: Demobilisation and Reinstatement

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a Ministry of Defence observer was at the hearing of the reinstatement committee case number RC03/010/LEIC concerning volunteer reserve sergeant airman number T2662568.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: There was no Ministry of Defence observer at the hearing of the reinstatement committee case number RC03/010/LEIC concerning Volunteer Reserve Sergeant Airman No. T2662568.

Iraq: Khamisiyah

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they first knew that sarin and cyclosarin were involved in the fall-out from the demolition by United States forces of the Iraqi chemical arms bunkers at Khamisiyah in March 1991, to which British troops were exposed; and why this information was not included in the paper The 1990/1991 Gulf Conflict: Health and Personnel Related Lessons Identified, published by the Ministry of Defence on 4 November.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence was first made aware of the presence of sarin and cyclosarin at Khamisiyah upon publication of a CIA paper entitled CIA Report on Intelligence Related to Gulf War Illness on 2 August 1996.
	The MOD published their initial assessment of the events at Khamisiyah in a paper entitled Review of Events Concerning 32 Field Hospital and the Release of Nerve Agent Arising from US Demolition of Iraqi Munitions at the Khamisiyah Depot in March 1991. This paper concluded that the potential levels of nerve agent released would have been of too low a level to have had any biologically detectable effect on troops. Therefore, issues around Khamisiyah have not been included in the recent "Lessons Identified" paper.
	The MOD is currently undertaking an assessment of the recently published findings of the US Department of Defense and the General Accountability Office modelling work. This will be published by the end of the year.

Anthrax Vaccine: US Troops

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to United States Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan's instruction to the United States Department of Defense concerning the administration of anthrax vaccine to United States troops; and whether there is any action they will be considering in the light of his decision.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence is aware of the ruling made by Judge Sullivan concerning the administration of anthrax vaccine to US troops. The US, unlike the UK, has a mandatory anthrax vaccination policy and the US judgment relates to that fact.
	The MoD will continue to follow developments in the case.

Armed Forces: HIV and Hepatitis B Tests

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many recruits, including Commonwealth recruits, to all three respective military services, have tested positive to (a) HIV; and (b) hepatitis B over the past four years.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: In accordance with government policy, there is no compulsory testing for HIV or hepatitis B in the UK Armed Forces either at the time of recruiting or during service. It is open to recruits and service personnel to attend civilian or military genito-urinary (GU) clinics without going through their GP, if they choose to do this, and legislation to protect the privacy of patients attending GU clinics prohibits any feedback into the military system. It is therefore not possible to provide comprehensive figures on the number of recruits who have tested positive to HIV or hepatitis B over the last four years. I can however advise that between September 2001 and September 2004, 19 military personnel have been confirmed as having hepatitis B and C or HIV, and of these four were recruits.
	As part of new entry training, sexual health advice, including information on the risks of HIV and the use of condoms, is provided to all new recruits to the Armed Forces.
	Personnel who consider themselves to be at risk are encouraged to seek confidential counselling and voluntary testing.

Black Watch Battle Group: Journalists

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many journalists, including television correspondents, are attached to the Black Watch battle group in Iraq.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The numbers of media representatives attached to the Black Watch fluctuates but, in general, there are two print journalists, four broadcast correspondents, two video cameramen and one photographer.

Sudan: Arms Embargo

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information they have concerning the recently reported sale of arms by a British businessman to Sudan; and what action they are taking to enforce European Union and British sanction policies in regard to the sale of arms to Sudan.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Crawley: Since the report concerning the alleged activities of a British businessman with regard to the sale of arms to Sudan came to light, inquiries have been under way to see if there is sufficient information for UK authorities to commence a criminal investigation. For legal reasons, I am unable to comment further on the nature and extent of these inquiries. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 4 (b) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. It is worth noting that the report related to alleged negotiations. While such activity might itself be licensable and provided no evidence that any military goods have in fact been supplied.
	The UK enforces rigorously the EU arms embargo against Sudan. This is done by the scrupulous consideration of export licence applications, the investigation of alleged breaches and through dialogue with other states. Furthermore, on 3 March 2004 the controls on trade to embargoed destinations came into force under the Export Control Act 2002. Since then any person in the UK or any UK person overseas wishing to seek to trade in controlled goods to Sudan would first need to apply for a trade control licence from the UK. These controls have full extraterritorial reach. Seeking to trade in controlled goods to Sudan without first obtaining a licence would constitute an offence and the broker would be liable to prosecution. The Government would only issue licences for supply of or trade in controlled goods to Sudan in line with exemptions to the embargo.

Red Cross Report: Treatment of Prisoners

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) concerning a formal United Kingdom-specific report on the treatment of prisoners; and whether they expect the ICRC to produce such reports in the future.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Crawley: I refer the noble Lord to the reply my noble friend the Lord Bach gave to him on 21 October (Official Report, col. WA91).

Integrated Children's System Database

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Under what statutory authority it is intended that the integrated children's system will operate.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: The ICS is derived from statutory duties placed on local authorities social services for children in need and their families. As part of social services responsibilities, records are kept of work undertaken with children in need and their families. Record keeping is a function of the local authorities' duty which is imposed under the following legislation: Children Act 1989, Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Universities: East Asian Studies

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to intervene to ensure that university departments of national and regional importance remain available; and whether south-east Asian studies and Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages are examples of departments which are currently under threat of closure; and
	Whether they have any plans to intervene in the proposed closure of the department of south-east Asian studies at Durham University.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: Universities are independent, self-governing bodies, responsible for their own decisions about how best to deploy the funding available to them and about the viability of their courses. The UK HE funding councils monitor overall provision in subject areas, such as east Asian studies and languages that are in the national interest. In addition, HEFCE are currently conducting an evaluation of their programme of support for minority subjects.
	The Secretary of State is currently considering with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, whether further action is needed in relation to subjects of strategic importance.

Northern Ireland: Grammar Schools

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When officials in the Department for Education and Skills responsible for secondary education last met representatives of those who wish to retain grammar schools in Northern Ireland.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: There have been no such meetings. Education is a devolved issue and is therefore a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Children's Centres

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money has been allocated to funding (a) the construction of new children's centres; and (b) the running costs of new children's centres; and how many such centres will be built; and on what basis these funds are being allocated; and
	Whether, when the responsibility for funding children's centres passes to local government in 2005, they will provide local government with any necessary additional funding; and, if not, what assurances they have that local government will be able and willing to provide the funds for capital works and running costs.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: The Government's target is to provide children's centre services to 650,000 children by March 2006. To achieve this target, the Government have allocated local authorities £317.8 million in capital and £117.2 million in revenue funding to develop children's centres in the 20 per cent most disadvantaged areas. There will be few new purpose-built children's centres as the majority will be developed from existing provision such as Sure Start local programmes, neighbourhood nurseries, early excellence centres, maintained nursery schools and health centres. Similarly it is not possible to estimate annual running costs as each will have wide-ranging annual running cost budgets. There are no plans to change the funding arrangements in 2005.
	By 2008, the Government aim to create up to 2,500 children's centres and eventually to have one serving every community. Details of how the Government will achieve this and the funding arrangements will be part of the Government's 10-year childcare strategy, due to be published in December.

Overseas Students

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the most recent figures, broken down by country of origin, of the number of overseas students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: The available information is given in the table and covers overseas domiciles studying HE courses at UK HE institutions in 2002–03.
	
		All HE enrolments by overseas domiciles to UK HE institutions 2002–03
		
			 Country of Domicile Total 
			 China (People's Republic of) 30,690 
			 Greece 22,485 
			 United States 13,645 
			 Germany 13,145 
			 France 12,490 
			 Irish Republic 12,305 
			 India 10,420 
			 Malaysia 9,715 
			 Hong Kong 9,355 
			 Spain 7,390 
			 Japan 5,730 
			 Italy 5,640 
			 Taiwan 4,455 
			 Singapore 3,990 
			 Nigeria 3,945 
			 Sweden 3,675 
			 Cyprus 3,570 
			 Norway 3,550 
			 Canada 3,365 
			 Zimbabwe 2,850 
			 Kenya 2,705 
			 Thailand 2,650 
			 Pakistan 2,640 
			 South Korea 2,610 
			 Netherlands 2,360 
			 Portugal 2,325 
			 Belgium 2,305 
			 Finland 2,195 
			 Sri Lanka 1,795 
			 Ghana 1,755 
			 Denmark 1,735 
			 Oman 1,655 
			 Mexico 1,600 
			 Russia 1,600 
			 Saudi Arabia 1,540 
			 Mauritius 1,500 
			 Turkey 1,410 
			 Australia 1,375 
			 Austria 1,345 
			 Switzerland 1,325 
			 Bangladesh 1,300 
			 Israel 1,290 
			 United Arab Emirates 1,250 
			 South Africa 1,075 
			 Libya 1,050 
			 Brazil 960 
			 Indonesia 900 
			 Tanzania 865 
			 Iran 860 
			 Jordan 850 
			 Poland 845 
			 Jamaica 780 
			 Luxembourg 775 
			 Bahrain 715 
			 Brunei 690 
			 Uganda 680 
			 Gibraltar 675 
			 Egypt 655 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 625 
			 Botswana 600 
			 Kuwait 585 
			 Philippines 530 
			 Bulgaria 475 
			 Zambia 465 
			 Hungary 450 
			 New Zealand 445 
			 Romania 445 
			 Lebanon 440 
			 Czech Republic 435 
			 Ukraine 430 
			 Algeria 385 
			 Malta 380 
			 Argentina 375 
			 Barbados 350 
			 Colombia 330 
			 Yugoslavia 325 
			 Vietnam 310 
			 Qatar 295 
			 Malawi 290 
			 Nepal 275 
			 Sudan 275 
			 Syria 275 
			 Gambia 270 
			 Iceland 260 
			 Chile 250 
			 Venezuela 250 
			 Kazakhstan 230 
			 Cameroon 225 
			 Slovenia 190 
			 Sierra Leone 185 
			 Slovakia 175 
			 Ethiopia 170 
			 Peru 170 
			 Seychelles 170 
			 Bermuda 150 
			 Yemen 160 
			 St Lucia 155 
			 Angola 150 
			 Bahamas 150 
			 Burma 145 
			 Uzbekistan 145 
			 Croatia 140 
			 Latvia 140 
			 Morocco 140 
			 Albania 135 
			 North Korea 135 
			 Lithuania 130 
			 Estonia 105 
			 Bosnia and Herzegovina 95 
			 Maldives 95 
			 West Indies (not otherwise specified) 90 
			 Macao 85 
			 Iraq 80 
			 Guyana 75 
			 Azerbaijan 70 
			 Belarus 70 
			 Ecuador 70 
			 Ivory Coast 70 
			 Mongolia 70 
			 Mozambique 70 
			 Bolivia 65 
			 Macedonia 65 
			 Antigua and Barbuda 60 
			 Cayman Islands 60 
			 Georgia 60 
			 Moldova 60 
			 Greenland 55 
			 St Vincent and the Grenadines 55 
			 Tunisia 55 
			 Namibia 50 
			 Rwanda 50 
			 Swaziland 50 
			 Afghanistan 45 
			 Dominica 45 
			 Somalia 45 
			 Uruguay 45 
			 Lesotho 40 
			 Armenia 35 
			 British Virgin Islands 35 
			 Costa Rica 35 
			 Falkland Islands 35 
			 Grenada 35 
			 Kyrgyzstan 35 
			 Panama 35 
			 Papua New Guinea 35 
			 Belize 30 
			 CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) 30 
			 Congo (People's Republic) 30 
			 Dominican Republic 30 
			 Dutch West Indies 30 
			 El Salvador 30 
			 Fiji 30 
			 Monserrat 30 
			 Senegal 30 
			 Cambodia 25 
			 Congo (Democratic Republic) 25 
			 Gabon 25 
			 Guatemala 25 
			 Monaco 25 
			 St Kitts & Nevis 25 
			 Tajikistan 25 
			 Turks & Caicos Islands 25 
			 Burundi 20 
			 Cuba 20 
			 Liberia 20 
			 Madagascar 20 
			 St Helena Dependencies 20 
			 Anguilla 15 
			 Bhutan 15 
			 Central African Republic 15 
			 Eritrea 15 
			 Liechtenstein 15 
			 Mali 15 
			 Nicaragua 15 
			 Paraguay 15 
			 Puerto Rico 15 
			 Turkmenistan 15 
			 British Antarctic Territory 10 
			 British Indian Ocean Territory 10 
			 French Possessions not elsewhere classified 10 
			 Gilbert Islands 10 
			 Guinea 10 
			 Haiti 10 
			 Honduras 10 
			 Mauritania 10 
			 Tonga 10 
			 Andorra 5 
			 Benin 5 
			 Burkina 5 
			 Chad 5 
			 Djibouti 5 
			 Equatorial Guinea 5 
			 Laos 5 
			 Mayotte 5 
			 Niger 5 
			 San Marino 5 
			 Solomon Islands 5 
			 Togo 5 
			 US Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands 5 
			 Vanuatu 5 
			 Windward Islands (not elsewhere specified) 5 
			 Cape Verde Islands 0 
			 Comoros 0 
			 Guinea-Bissau 0 
			 Leeward Islands (not otherwise specified) 0 
			 Marshall Islands 0 
			 Micronesia 0 
			 Nauru 0 
			 Pitcairn Islands 0 
			 Samoa 0 
			 Sao Tome & Principe 0 
			 South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands 0 
			 Surinam 0 
			 Tuvalu 0 
			 OS–Determined By Free Eligibility 870 
			 Stateless 0 
			 Total 255,235 
		
	
	Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
	Snapshot as at 1 December
	Figures rounded to the nearest 0 or 5.

Tote: EC Views on Sale

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the principal concerns of the European Commission regarding the sale of the Tote to a racing trust; on what date these concerns were brought to the attention of the Government in writing; and what the Government's response to them was.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: We have notified the European Commission of our plans for the sale of the Tote to the Racing Trust (28 October 2004, Official Report, WA 149) and met with them in September as planned (14 September 2004, Official Report, col. 1043). The Government cannot divulge any detail of the continuing discussions with the Commission until its views are published, since such discussions are confidential. In terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, exemptions 1, 2 and 14 apply as: disclosure at this stage might harm relations with the Commission (exemption 1); the discussions are internal ones with a regulator (exemption 2); and the Commission has given its initial views in confidence and not consented to their disclosure (exemption 14). In due course, the Commission will publish its formal views.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the further use of lottery funds for heritage protection, including essential maintenance, and for heritage-related learning programmes.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Decisions on the provision of lottery funds within the heritage sector are the responsibility of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and are made by the board of trustees independently of the Government. This year the HLF will commit around £330 million to projects which, among other things, aim to conserve and enhance the United Kingdom's heritage, and increase opportunities for learning about heritage and opening up heritage resources and sites to the widest possible number of people. In July 2004, the HLF announced the establishment of a £4 million training bursary scheme to keep alive essential heritage skills, as well as training for essential customer services skills at heritage sites.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are planning to increase, maintain or decrease in real terms their financial support for the protection of the nation's heritage; and what they intend any such increase or decrease to be.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: No decisions have yet been taken within DCMS on individual funding allocations following the 2004 Spending Review. The share of lottery proceeds going to the heritage good cause is guaranteed until 2009. This of course excludes the proceeds from any dedicated Olympic games introduced after July 2005 as a result of a successful Olympic bid.

National Savings & Investments: Unclaimed Sums

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the total unclaimed sums handed over to the National Savings and Investments to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt in each of the last 10 years.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 9 November (Official Report col. WA 72).

Gambling: Casinos

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions during the past 12 months Ministers or civil servants within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been in contact with the owners or operators of gambling casinos in the United States; and what subjects have been discussed.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Since the publication of the report of the Gambling Review Body (Cm 5206) in July 2001, the department has undertaken a very extensive programme of consultations with interested bodies about options and proposals for changes to gambling law in Great Britain. There have been two formal public consultations, the first on the review body's report and the second on the draft clauses published for pre-legislative scrutiny in November 2003.
	In addition to these consultations, the relevant government departments have corresponded with and met individual companies (including those which have expressed an interest in trading in Great Britain as well as those already doing so), trade associations, charities and other bodies concerned with problem gambling or who benefit from lotteries, local authorities, trade unions, law enforcement agencies, academics and many other bodies and individuals, including members of the public, with an interest. These contacts, designed to ensure that the Government's policy proposals are sound and take full account of all relevant benefits, cost and risks, have involved both Ministers and officials. Discussions covered all aspects of gambling regulation.

Currency: £5 Coin

Lord Brightman: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have considered the issue of a £5 coin of size and weight comparable to that of the disused half-crown coin; and
	What, in terms of buying power, was the equivalent in 1939 to the present £5; and
	Whether it is the case that not all shopkeepers and banks accept payment by means of the recently issued £5 coins; and
	Whether they consider that the recently issued £5 coins are suitable for day-to-day use.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The £5 crowns are issued to commemorate special occasions of national importance and are not intended to be used in general circulation. Rather they are something which people wish to keep as souvenirs to mark a special occasion. However, the coins are given legal tender status by Royal Proclamation and some shops accept them, although they are not obliged to do so. Thus as there are no plans to issue a £5 coin for general circulation, no consideration has been given to change its current specification.
	Taking account of inflation over the period, the purchasing power of £5 today would be the equivalent of around 2 shillings and sevenpence in 1939.

Anti-discrimination Legislation

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to introduce single equalities legislation to tackle the complexities and differential powers involved in anti-discrimination legislation; and, if so, when.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government have long recognised concerns about the complexities and differential powers involved in anti-discrimination legislation. We are beginning to consider the best mechanisms for reviewing the evidence of the nature of inequality in our society and the current discrimination legislation framework, taking into account the interest of the many different stakeholders who would be affected by any changes to the current position. We believe the Commission for Equality and Human Rights will have an important role to play in this review and it will separately be empowered to recommend changes to discrimination legislation as it sees fit.

Export Credits Guarantee Department: Bribery Controls

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the allegations in the Financial Times article on bribery controls, published on 18 October, are well founded; and, if not, what is the true position.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Export Credits Guarantee Department's procedures to combat bribery and corruption remain robust.
	Following the coming into force of its new bribery and corruption procedures on 1 May, ECGD and DTI officials have held discussions with customers and their trade bodies who made representations about their implementation. These discussions continue with a view to resolving issues surrounding the details and practical application of aspects of the procedures.
	When these discussions are complete the final procedures will be published.

Export Credits Guarantee Department: Bribery Controls

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Export Credits Guarantee Department has refused cover for any company during the past five years because they have received evidence of bribery or corruption.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: All applications for cover during the period have been assessed against ECGD's rigorous criteria to identify evidence of bribery or corruption and none have been refused for the reason set out.

Equal Pay

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the continuing pay gap between women and men in the United Kingdom, they will introduce legislation to strengthen the Equal Pay Act 1970 by simplifying the procedure for determining whether there is equal pay between men and women for work of equal value, and requiring large employers to introduce employment and pay equity schemes.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government continue to take action to improve the way equal pay legislation works. We have introduced a number of measures in recent years to speed up and simplify equal pay cases, including amendments to the Equal Pay Act 1970 that introduced the Equal Pay Questionnaire.
	From 1 October 2004, we changed the way in which employment tribunals deal with complex equal value cases and amended the Equal Pay Act to limit the circumstances in which a tribunal could refuse to consider an equal value claim. This will streamline tribunal procedures and help to prevent long delays. The new rules provide tribunals with a range of powers they can use to manage each case appropriately rather than having to follow a standard procedure.
	The Government have adopted a voluntary approach to pay reviews and have put in place a number of initiatives to help support business. These include funding the Equal Opportunities Commission to develop equal pay tool kits and providing funding to trade unions for training representatives in equal pay issues in the workplace. More recently, we have provided resources to the TUC to develop the Equal Pay Panel of experts who can deliver free advice/guidance sessions to organisations looking to investigate or undertake an equal pay review in partnership with unions. In September, the Government appointed the Women and Work Commission which will make recommendations to the Government on tackling the gender pay gap.

EU Age Discrimination Regulations

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to consult with sports bodies about the proposal to implement in 2006 the European Union age discrimination laws.
	What impact the European regulations prohibiting age discrimination is likely to have upon sport; and whether there will be an exemption for sport.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Under the European Employment Directive (2000/78/EC) regulations will oputlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training. The Government have already held three public consultations with all those who have an interest in age issues. Regulations will apply to all employers, including those in the sport sector. Our detailed proposals will be set out in draft regulations which will be consulted on in due course.

Shareholder Executive

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will set out the constitution, membership, responsibilities, reporting lines and governance arrangements of the Shareholder Executive.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Shareholder Executive is a team located in the DTI. Its responsibility is to improve the Government's shareholding functions by providing advice to Ministers and officials on corporate governance frameworks, the setting of objectives, scrutiny of business plans, monitoring of performance, appointments and the approval of remuneration frameworks.
	The team currently has 56 staff from private sector and Civil Service backgrounds.
	The Shareholder Executive reports to Sir Andrew Turnbull for the overall success of its mission to professionalise the Government's shareholder function. It reports to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State on the DTI's shareholdings and other financial interests in British Energy plc, British Nuclear Fuels plc, Export Credits Guarantee Department, Royal Mail Holdings plc and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
	It reports to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on his department's shareholdings and other financial interests in Partnerships UK plc and to senior DfID officials on that department's shareholding and other financial interests in Actis Capital LLP.
	It advises officials in other government departments on their shareholder responsibilities as follows:
	
		
			 Entity Responsible Department Legal status 
			 ABRO Minstry of Defence Trading Fund 
			 BBC (certain aspects of the Charter Review) Department for Culture, Media and Sport Public corporation 
			 CDC Group plc Department for International Development Companies Act company (100 per cent of shares Government owned, shares not publicly traded) 
			 Channel 4 Department for Culture, Media and Sport Statutory corporation 
			 Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) Ministry of Defence Trading fund 
			 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Ministry of Defence Trading fund 
			 Forensic Science Service Home Office Trading fund 
			 Met Office Ministry of Defence Trading fund 
			 National Air Traffic Services Department for Transport Companies Act company (48.87 per cent of shares Government owned, shares not publicly traded) 
			 Northern Ireland Water Services Department for Regional Development, Northern Ireland Agency 
			 QinetiQ plc Ministry of Defence Companies Act company (58.1 per cent of shares Government owned, shares not publicly traded) 
			 Tote Department for Culture, Media and Sport Statutory corporation 
			 United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Ministry of Defence Trading fund

Department of Trade and Industry

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the recent official survey of 3,267 civil servants working in the Department of Trade and Industry that showed that 17 per cent of respondents thought that the leadership of the department made "good long-term decisions", while 23 per cent of staff thought that there was "effective leadership at the department".
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Like many other organisations, DTI carries out regular surveys of its staff to inform management plans in the department. In answer to the question in the survey "is there effective leadership across the DTI", 25 per cent of staff agreed, and 41 per cent recorded a neutral score. These attitudes towards leadership in general are not unusual for any organisation undergoing major change. Overall, the majority of DTI staff (65 per cent) recorded in that survey that they were satisfied to be working for the DTI and felt valued for what they could offer the Department.

Department of Trade and Industry

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will set up an independent inquiry into the present state of morale among civil servants in the Department of Trade and Industry.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: This would not be an appropriate use of public funds.

Medical Research Council PACE trials:CFS/ME

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give an assurance that patients who are to take part in the Medical Research Council PACE trials on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM), or who are to be referred to any of the centres for CFS, ME or FM, will not, as a consequence of the psychiatric intervention involved, suffer a foreseeable deterioration in their medical condition; and
	Whether patients who enrol for the Medical Research Council PACE trials are required to sign a statement giving consent and waiving their rights to sue for damages should any harm flow from the graded exercise component of the trials.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Medical Research Council-funded PACE trial is designed to test treatments for patients who have CFS/ME. Patients with fibromyalgia alone would be excluded unless they also have CFS/ME. The treatments being tested are not primarily psychiatric treatments, with the arguable exception of cognitive behaviour therapy, which is a form of rehabilitative psychotherapy. None of the treatments being tested is likely to cause "a foreseeable deterioration in their medical condition", and were designed with the opposite effect in mind.
	In common with all clinical trials, all patients recruited to the PACE trial will receive detailed patient information literature and will sign a consent form to confirm that they understand the full details and implications involved in taking part in the trial. Because the trial participants will have provided informed consent, they will receive no compensation if they become more ill (whether or not as a result of the particular treatment). However, they would retain the right to sue for negligent damage.
	As with any trial, it is accepted that some people may not respond to the treatment(s), or may indeed become iller (whether or not as a consequence of the treatment). If patients do get worse, they will be reassessed earlier than planned in collaboration with their own specialist and general practitioner. A decision will be made by the patient and the doctor as to whether they should stay on their study treatment (or not), and what further help should be given.
	An independent data monitoring and ethics committee will closely monitor progress of the study, including any adverse events that may occur and have the power to advise the independent trial steering committee to change or stop the study if necessary.
	The new specialist centres will offer patients a multi-disciplinary based approach to the treatment of their illness. It will be for the clinicians involved to decide what treatment to offer patients referred to them. Their decision will be taken in consultation with the patient, will be informed by the patient's medical history, and will take account of a range of factors, including the ability of the patient to benefit from the treatment proposed.

Water Turbines: River Thames

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Under what circumstances energy companies are allowed to install water turbines in the weirs of the River Thames.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Water turbines in the weirs of the Thames for the purpose of generating electricity have to take place within the normal formal planning procedure. An abstraction licence from the Environment Agency would also be required.

Water Turbines: River Thames

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	At what rates the energy companies generating power from turbines in the River Thames are permitted by OFGEM to sell power to (a) Windsor Castle; and (b) other customers.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Under the legislation passed by Parliament it is envisaged that the prices charged by electricity generators to customers are a matter for the companies themselves rather than for OFGEM to decide.

Mobile Phones: Use on Petrol Station Forecourts

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 5 November (WA 50), what published risk assessment supports the statement that "the risk of incendive sparking from mobile equipment is low"; and how this level of risk compares with that from wrist watches.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The statement "the risk of incendive sparking from mobile equipment is low" is taken from an advice note to Petroleum Enforcement Officers issued by the HSE, which based its advice on the conclusions drawn from an open technical seminar hosted in March 2003 by the Institute of Petroleum (now the Energy Institute). A full record of the proceedings can be obtained via the Energy Institute website (www.energyinst.org.uk).
	Published standards (EN 60079-14:2003) written by an international committee of experts advise on the use of personal electrical apparatus in hazardous areas. They conclude that "the risk with electronic watches is small and their use in a hazardous area is generally acceptable".
	We are not aware of any comparative studies of the sparking risk of mobile phones and wrist watches.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, before making a statement on a matter which is the subject of a complaint to the National Contact Point on an alleged breach of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's guidelines for multinational enterprises, they consult the National Contact Point on whether the terms of the statement might prejudice the complaint.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Issues regarding the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises are primarily a matter for the National Contact Point, located in the DTI. Statements made by other government bodies would not therefore prejudice any complaint under the guidelines.

Avient Limited

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they informed Rights and Accountability in Development and its Congolese partner, Action Contre l'Impunité Pour les Droits Humains, that they had been accepted as complainants against the United Kingdom-based company, Avient Ltd, in respect of alleged violations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's guidelines for multinational enterprises.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Rights and Accountability In Development and Action Contre L'impunité Pour Les Droits Humains indicated their intention to act as complainants on 12 July 2004. The National Contact Point looks forward to receiving specific details of their complaints, with supporting evidence as soon as possible.

Avient Limited

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give further details of the operations by an MI 24 attack helicopter in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said by the United Kingdom-based company Avient Limited to have been involved in the relief of isolated places; and what steps were taken by the National Contact Point for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines to obtain independent corroboration of the company's account of the use made of this machine.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We are unable to comment on the matter. The National Contact Point (NCP) discussed the issue with the company in the dialogue process preceding the NCP statement. That dialogue process is confidential.
	The implementation procedures of the OECD guidelines are a mechanism for mediating between parties on specific instances of alleged breach of the guidelines. In considering the issues raised regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo the NCP has drawn on material across government, in the public domain and supplied by the UN. No independent corroboration is sought in a mediation process.

Electricity Generation Licences: Windfarms

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the exemption from licensing given to Powergen Renewables Offshore Wind Limited under the Electricity (Exemption from the Requirement for a Generation Licence) (No 2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1776) will be available to all windfarm owners.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Exemption from the requirement for an electricity generation licence may be granted individually or by class. An individual exemption is granted to a specific company in respect of a specific station. The Secretary of State has granted exemption to a number of companies operating generating stations capable of exporting no more than 100 megawatts of electrical power to the total electricity system. Where an operator seeks an individual exemption, the Secretary of State will decide whether to grant an exemption on the merits of the case and following consultation with the statutory consultees and other interested parties.

Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations and Regulatory Reform (Patents) Order: Numbering

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations, made on 8 September, are numbered 2004/2361 when the Regulatory Reform (Patents) Order, made on 22 September is numbered 2004/2357.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: In order to comply with Cabinet Office guidelines the Patent Office had to give the public "at least 84 days" notice before the Regulatory Reform (Patents) Order 2004 comes into force on 1 January 2005. The notice informing interested parties of the order was therefore published in the 6 October issue of the Patents and Designs Journal.
	However, in order to ensure that the notice appeared on this date the number of the order had to be obtained some time in advance not only of the journal's publication, but also of the date that the order was made. This resulted in an earlier number being allocated to the RRO than for the Cosmetic Product (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, in view of the cost to businesses from increased taxation, no regulatory impact assessment was prepared in respect of the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc.) (Modification) (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1682).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: This order imposes no additional cost on business. Inclusion of an employing body on the order is at the request of that body (subject to meeting eligibility conditions). Therefore a regulatory impact assessment is not required.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why no regulatory impact assessment was prepared in respect of the Gas (Third Party Access) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2043) given the provision made by paragraph 5.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No regulatory impact assessment was prepared in respect of the Gas (Third Party Access) Regulations 2004 because it was judged that they would have no significant cost implications or impact on business.

Fireworks Regulations: Night Hours Definition

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Fireworks Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1836) define "night hours" in paragraph 7(3)(b) as ending at 12 a.m.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Regulation 7 of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 defines "night hours" as the period beginning at 11 p.m. and ending at 7 a.m. the following day.
	A "permitted fireworks night" with respect to 5 November, however, is defined as beginning at 11 p.m. and ending at 12 a.m. the following day. This means that fireworks may be used beyond the usual curfew start time of 11 p.m. till 12 a.m. (midnight).
	The department is currently reviewing the wording of this regulation with a view to making it clearer.

Coal Mining Subsidence

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the rights of people affected by coal mine subsidence will be changed by the implementation of the Coal Mining Subsidence (Subsidence Adviser) (Revocation) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2241).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No. The rights of property owners to have coal mining subsidence damage repaired at no cost to themselves remain unchanged.

Haemophilia: Contaminated Blood Products

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many haemophilia patients have been infected with HIV and hepatitis C by contaminated blood and blood products; and, of these, how many have since died in each case.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The number of haemophilia patients infected with HIV from National Health Service blood products registered with the Macfarlane Trust and who have died are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Registrants 1 Number who have died 2 
			 1,243 857 
		
	
	1 Most co-infected with hepatitis C.
	2 The Macfarlane Trust does not collect information on the cause of death. Figures as at 2 November 2004.
	It is estimated that in England, around 4,000 haemophiliacs were infected with hepatitis C through blood and blood products. The latest figures from the UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation indicate that a total of at least 212 people with haemophilia have died as a direct result of the effects of hepatitis C.

Surgeons: Women

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the 5,200 consultant surgeons in England and Wales are women; and
	What steps they will take to encourage women to train as surgical specialists; and when they expect numbers to attain equality with men.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: As at June 2004, there were 5,698 consultant surgeons working in the National Health Service in England, of which 406 were female. Information relating to Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.
	Since 1991, the Department of Health has continued to fund and support the work of the Royal College of Surgeons to promote surgery as a career to women, among school-age girls and female medical students.
	Through the Royal College's Women in Surgical Training (WIST) initiative, it offers free membership to over 1,700 members ranging from medical students to consultants and provides a range of support to female surgeons and potential surgeons, including mentoring. More recently, WIST has extended to promoting Improving Working Lives initiatives; for example, the Flexible Careers Scheme which enables doctors to return to work after a career break to work flexibly. All these measures are supporting women in taking up surgical specialties.
	While the number of female surgeons working in England has increased by 221 or 119 per cent between September 1997 and June 2004, no estimate has been made of when the number of female surgeons might equal that of their male counterparts.

Nutrition and Behaviour

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the link between malnutrition and aggressive behaviour of children found in the United States, they will undertake an epidemiological review of diet, malnutrition and behaviour in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The Government are funding research to look at a possible link between food additives and children's behaviour, for which current evidence is inconclusive. There are no plans to look at overall diet in connection with children's behaviour. Government surveillance, such as diet and nutrition surveys and health surveys, provides information on the dietary habits and nutritional status of the United Kingdom population.
	The Government are committed to improving children's diet and health and action to address this is taken forward in the Government's White Paper on improving health. Also, following cross-government collaboration, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills launched the Healthy Living Blueprint for Schools document. The "blueprint" and supporting website bring together all the elements that contribute to a whole school approach to food and nutrition.

Smoking: Medical Education

The Earl of Listowel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What training midwives, health visitors and general practitioners receive to enable them to alert parents who smoke to the risk of environmental tobacco smoke to their infant.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The content of professional education is a matter for the relevant professional body. Medical Schools and Faculties of Medicine are responsible for medical education in the United Kingdom.

Smallpox: Vaccinia Immune Globulin

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent any severe side effects from a mass smallpox vaccination programme can be alleviated by having available adequate stocks of vaccinia immune globulin injections.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: Historical evidence indicates that vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used to treat severe side effects arising as a result of smallpox vaccination, such as progressive vaccinia and eczema vaccinatum, and can be of value when given prophylactically at the time of vaccination to pregnant, eczematous and some immuno-compromised patients. Based upon the rate of occurrences of side effects in past vaccination programmes, estimates of the numbers of people who might suffer adverse reactions in a mass smallpox vaccination programme of the United Kingdom population indicate that around 7,000 could require VIG for treatment of serious side effects and a further 3,000 could require prophylactic use with the vaccine.

Smallpox: Vaccinia Immune Globulin

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the ideal number of vaccinia immune globulin injections which should be stockpiled, in order to reduce the severity of side effects from a mass vaccination programme against smallpox, which would be provided in the event of a terrorist attack.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: Based upon the rate of occurrence of severe side effects from smallpox vaccination in past vaccination campaigns, it is estimated that around 10,000 people could require vaccine immune globulin to combat the side effects of smallpox vaccination, 3,000 of whom would have been contra-indicated for vaccination and would need it for prophylactic use with the vaccine.

Smallpox: Vaccinia Immune Globulin

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are (a) the size of the United Kingdom's stockpile of smallpox vaccination material; and (b) the number of vaccinia immune globulin doses which they hold to alleviate severe side effects from smallpox vaccinations; and what are the comparable figures in the United States.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The Government currently have a stockpile of over 40 million doses of undiluted smallpox vaccine and a small strategic stock of vaccinia immunoglobulin (VIG). On 19 November we will launch a procurement for VIG to augment this supply to support our preparedness for a mass smallpox vaccination campaign in case one is ever needed. We do not have comparable figures for the United States.

Nutrition: Dietary Targets

Lord Rea: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the latest adult diet and nutrition survey, what proportion of adult men and women (stated separately) met each of the following dietary targets, recommended by the Department of Health:
	(a) fat intake (35 per cent energy);
	(b) saturated fat intake (11 per cent energy);
	(c) NME sugar intake (11 per cent energy);
	(d) salt intake per day (5 grams women, 7 grams men);
	(e) NSP dietary fibre intake per day (18 grams); and
	(f) fruit and vegetable intake per day (five portions per 400 grams);
	and what proportion of adult men and women met all of these targets.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The information requested on the percentage of adult men and women meeting dietary targets is shown in the table and is taken from the 2000–01 National Diet and Nutrition Survey of adults aged 19 to 64 years.
	
		
			 Dietary target Percentage meeting dietary target   
			  Men Women 
			 Total fat (no more than 35 per cent of food energy) 43 50 
			 Saturated fatty acids (no more than 11 per cent of food energy) 22 27 
			 Non-milk extrinsic sugars (no more than 11 per cent of food energy) 40 51 
			 Salt (7g for men, 5g for women, per day) 23 24 
			 Non-starch polysaccharides (18g per day) 28 13 
			 Fruit and vegetables (5 portions (400g) per day) 13 15 
		
	
	We do not have information readily available on the proportion of men and women who met all the targets.

Smoking and Obesity: Cost to NHS

Lord Glentoran: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Warner on 9 November (HL Deb, col. 750), whether obesity or smoking costs the National Health Service more.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: In the 1998 White Paper, Smoking Kills, it was estimated that the cost of treating illness and disease caused by smoking cost the National Health Service up to £1.7 billion a year.
	The National Audit Office report, Tackling Obesity in England, published in 2001, estimated that the direct cost to the NHS of treating obesity and its consequences in 1998 was £480 million. As part of its inquiry into obesity, the Health Select Committee estimated that in 2002 the direct cost to the NHS was between £990 million and £1,225 million.

Abortion: Under-16s

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research they have conducted examining the short and long-term complications, including morbidity, mortality and psychological sequelae, of a termination of pregnancy in girls under the age of 16; and
	How many abortions have been performed on girls under the age of 16; and what is the corresponding abortion rate per 1,000 in this age group in every year since 1967; and
	What are (a) the 30-day mortality rate; and (b) the one-year mortality rate, after abortions performed on girls under the age of 16 in every year since 1967; and
	What are (a) the 30-day mortality rate; and (b) the one-year mortality rate, after carrying a pregnancy to term for girls under the age of 16 in every year since 1967.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health has provided funding to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to update its evidence-based guideline on abortion which was published in 2000. As such, the RCOG has undertaken a thorough literature review of all recently published evidence on abortion. The conclusion remains that abortion, both medical and surgical, is a very safe procedure and complications are uncommon. The updated guideline was published at the end of September 2004 and is available at www.rcog.org.uk.
	The available information on the number and rates of abortions performed on young women under the age of 16 is contained in the annual Office for National Statistics publication, Abortion Statistics, series AB; Office for National Statistics, Department of Health, Statistical Bulletin 2003/23, and Statistical Bulletin 2004/14, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
	We are unable to provide 30-day and one-year mortality rates following a maternal death. However, between 1991 (the earliest data available) and 2002, six deaths were reported to the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths on young women aged under 16. None of these was after an abortion. Four were from causes unrelated to pregnancy, one from an ectopic pregnancy and one from eclampsia after a concealed pregnancy. Maternal deaths in the United Kingdom for women of all ages are at a rate of 53 per million maternities, compared with five per million abortions.

Salmonella: Infected Spanish Eggs

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the recent report by the Food Standards Agency and the Health Protection Agency, what steps are being taken to ensure consumers are not put at risk from salmonella-infected Spanish eggs being used within the catering industry.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that it is taking action to reduce the risk of salmonella food poisoning from eggs imported from Spain. First, it is working with the Spanish authorities to try to reduce the number of contaminated eggs entering the United Kingdom to a minimum. Officials from the agency met the Spanish authorities in Madrid in October to discuss the Spanish action plan for reducing levels of salmonella in their eggs. Secondly, the FSA has emphasised its existing advice to caterers that eggs are a raw product and should be treated carefully and properly cooked. This information was given in a joint FSA/Health Protection Agency press release on 14 October and in a letter from the FSA to local authorities. The FSA has also met with representatives of the catering industry to discuss the safe use of eggs.

Salmonella: Infected Spanish Eggs

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the importation of Spanish eggs was not banned two years ago when those eggs were identified as being the cause of a significant number of salmonella outbreaks.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Despite evidence of contaminated eggs coming into the UK from Spain, we cannot apply a blanket ban on imports because it would constitute a barrier to internal EU trade which would place the UK in contravention of the European treaty.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been advising caterers and other food businesses on the safe use of eggs and has issued guidance to importers of Spanish eggs that they should be sent only for commercial heat treatment.
	The FSA has asked the Spanish authorities and the European Commission to address the problem at source. Action has been stepped up because the problem has not yet been solved; it is clear that many food businesses have not been following Food Standards Agency advice; and outbreaks have continued.

Salmonella: Infected Spanish Eggs

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they did not ban the importation of Spanish eggs when the Food Standards Agency and the Health Protection Agency announced in October that the use of Spanish eggs by the catering industry was a major source of salmonella outbreaks in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: There is a free trade in agricultural products across the European Union and under European legislation it is illegal for one member state to ban the import of agricultural produce from another without good reason. This would not be the case with eggs contaminated with salmonella since they are a raw product and the importer could reasonably expect the eggs to be properly cooked and thus the salmonella destroyed. There is much precedence for unilateral bans on food products being overturned in the courts and one such example is the French ban on UK beef.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been advising caterers and other food businesses on the safe use of eggs and has issued guidance to importers of Spanish eggs that they should only be sent for commercial heat treatment.
	The FSA has asked the Spanish authorities and the European Commission to address the problem at source. Action has been stepped up because the problem has not yet been solved; it is clear that many food businesses have not been following Food Standards Agency advice; and outbreaks have continued.
	In the case of these outbreaks of food poisoning where the UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) implicated salmonella from eggs, particularly Spanish eggs, as the likely cause, it would be better to deal with salmonella contamination of eggs at source and encourage trade in a safe product rather than impose a unilateral ban. Despite evidence of contaminated eggs coming into the UK from Spain, we cannot apply a blanket ban on imports because it would constitute a barrier to internal EU trade that would place the UK in contravention of the European treaty.

Salmonella: Infected Spanish Eggs

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether tighter import controls will be placed on eggs to ensure that food safety problems, particularly within the catering industry, are kept to a minimum.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Defra is working closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to reduce the risk of illness to consumers caused by eating contaminated eggs. The Health Protection Agency has implicated eggs, particularly from Spain, as one of the likely sources of salmonella in outbreaks of food-borne illness. Two courses of action have been taken to reduce the risk of salmonella food poisoning from eggs imported from Spain.
	First, it is working with the Spanish authorities to try to reduce the number of contaminated eggs entering the UK to a minimum. Officials from the FSA met the Spanish authorities in Madrid in October to discuss the Spanish action plan for reducing levels of salmonella in their eggs.
	Secondly, the FSA has emphasised its existing advice to caterers that eggs are a raw product and should be treated carefully and properly cooked. This information was given in a joint FSA/Health Protection Agency press release on 14 October and in a letter from the FSA to local authorities. The FSA has also met with representatives of the catering industry to discuss the safe use of eggs.
	Proper heat treatment of any raw foodstuffs contaminated with salmonella should kill it completely thus rendering the product safe to eat. All the current circumstantial evidence suggests that many caterers that are using Spanish eggs are not cooking the eggs properly. The FSA is developing an information campaign targeting those sections of the catering industry where poor hygiene practices seem to be most common.

Depleted Uranium

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who decided which depleted uranium should be held as a national asset and which should be regarded as waste; and when the decision was made; and
	What uses are projected for the 59,860 tonnes of depleted uranium held as a national asset; and
	What body holds the 59,860 tonnes of depleted uranium that are held as a national asset; and what value is assigned to this asset; and
	Whether the 59,860 tonnes of depleted uranium that are held as a national asset appear on the national asset register; and, if so, at what value; and
	Whether depleted uranium waste is held (a) as a discrete material; or (b) mixed with other material; and, if the latter, what is the total tonnage of the waste material.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Details of the quantities, uses and storage of depleted uranium for civil purposes is contained in a report produced by the Environment Agency Depleted Uranium: a Study of its Uses within the UK and Disposal Issues. The Environment Agency report also describes the safeguard arrangements for depleted uranium.
	Ultimately, it is for the owner or operator to decide which depleted uranium should be held as a national asset. The depleted uranium held by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) is considered a "zero value" asset; that is, it is determined to be an asset but holds no value in the company accounts. BNFL regards depleted uranium as a strategic asset and does not intend to declare it as a waste while there is the prospect of future economic reworking. In the past, around 15,000 tonnes of depleted uranium was recycled to produce the initial fuel for the UK's AGR reactor fleet.
	Issues relating to the disposal of radioactive materials, including waste depleted uranium metal and its undiluted compounds, are a matter for the Environment Agency.

Water Purification Units

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many water purification units are held by water authorities; and in which years they were manufactured; and
	When water purification units were last released for emergency use at home and overseas; and how many of them were then released; and
	On what occasion in the past five years water purification tablets were made available in emergencies at home and overseas.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Water companies in England and Wales have 170 water purification units which are thought to be 10 to 25 years old. At home, these units have not been used in an emergency and neither have water purification tablets been used or distributed during the last five years.
	Two units were sent abroad with purification tablets in 2001 to help with an emergency.

Oil Pollution on Beaches

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many beaches in England and Wales have been affected by oil pollution in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and in 2004 to date.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: There are many routes through which beaches may be affected by oil pollution and for the majority of cases, statistics for specific causes of oil production are not collected. The Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea does, however, on behalf of the Marine and Coastguard Agency, publish an annual survey of reported discharges attributed to vessels and offshore oil and gas installations operating in the United Kingdom pollution control zone. Annual surveys for 2000 to 2003 contain the following figures for oil pollution incidents affecting beaches which are attributed to these sources. The figures for 2004 are not yet available. All figures cover the whole of the UK.
	
		
			 Year Number of Beaches 
			 2000 19 
			 2001 14 
			 2002 10 
			 2003 14

Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the incidence of tuberculosis in the badger carcasses which have been collected and tested as part of the road traffic accident survey in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Figures for the incidence of TB in badger carcasses collected and tested as part of the road traffic accident (RTA) survey are not yet available for release.
	The RTA survey has been designed to establish whether the incidence of bovine TB in badgers collected from road verges, and other locations, is representative of the prevalence of the disease in the badger population in that area through comparison with equivalent data from the randomised badger culling trial. With the assistance of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, the first step is to carry out analyses of the data and this work is underway. Results are expected to be available in 2005.
	In addition to Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, the RTA survey is also being conducted in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.

Access Rights: Coastal Areas

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will conduct an environmental impact assessment on the possible effects of any compulsory right of access to coastal areas prior to any extension of the definition of "open country" to include coastal land of any description; and
	Whether they will conduct an assessment of the potential impact on business and the rural economy arising from compulsory right of access to coastal areas prior to any extension of the definition of "open country" to include coastal land of any description.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The introduction of the new right of access in the south east and lower north west under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is giving people in these two areas a greater freedom to explore the countryside. Our aim is to introduce the new right across England by the end of 2005.
	We hope to make an announcement shortly about further measures we plan to take to achieve our aim that everyone should have good opportunities to enjoy the natural environment.
	Access to open country in general has considerable benefit to the rural economy as well as making a contribution to the health of the nation and to the well-being of those who take advantage of such access. We believe that access to coastal land will have similar benefits and it is something the Government seek to promote. Any new legislative proposals would be subject to an environmental impact assessment and an assessment of the effects on business and the economy as part of a process of full public consultation.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total cost of implementing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in Surrey.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: On behalf of the Government, the Countryside Agency has so far spent £36.69 million, consisting of £0.75 million in 1999–2000; £0.92 million in 2000–01; £5.17 million in 2001–02; £8.30 million in 2002–03; £13.25 million in 2003–04 and £8.3 million to date in 2004–05. The agency expects to spend a further £6.7 million in the current financial year. National park authorities have been allocated an additional £4.725 million, consisting of £0.875 million in 2002–03; £2.0 million in 2003–04 and £1.85 million in 2004–05. We have also funded the Planning Inspectorate to deal with appeals against the inclusion of land on provisional maps and restriction appeals of £0.11 million in 2001–02; £0.84 million in 2002–03 and £1.20 million in 2003–04. The Planning Inspectorate expects to spend no more than £2 million in the current financial year. Local authorities have been funded to establish local access forums under Part 5 of the Act.
	In addition, the Government have announced funding of £2 million for 2004–05 towards an access management grant scheme to support local authorities in implementing the new right of access.
	Essentially, Defra is funding the Countryside Agency, national park authorities and the Planning Inspectorate to implement Part I of the Act throughout the whole of England by the end of 2005. We do not keep information on the cost of implementing the Act on a county-by-county basis.

EU Directive on Environmental Liability

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the letter of 21 October 2003 from the Baroness Hollis of Heigham to the Baroness Byford, what will be the effect on small and medium-sized businesses of the European Union Directive on Environmental Liability.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The costs and benefits of the directive are currently being reassessed by my department in preparation for transposition. The previous regulatory impact assessment, of 2002, suggested total costs of the directive in the UK across all sectors, including enforcement, of between £18 million and £52 million. This was based on the number of incidents in a given year which would have fallen within the scope of the proposal. Current indications are that the costs for the directive could be lower. It is not possible at this stage to be certain of the effect of the directive on small and medium-sized businesses, but in the light of the likely overall impact, this is expected to be low. Businesses will bear costs under the directive only if they take precautionary measures to reduce their risks of causing significant damage or, where damage does occur from their operation, the cost of remediation measures. This is entirely in accordance with the "polluter pays" principle, which is the cornerstone of the directive.

Dolphins

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the United States' moratorium on interactive facilities with dolphins, in particular in neonatal care centres; and, if so, whether they will introduce a similar moratorium in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The Government have no details of a moratorium in the United States on interactive facilities with dolphins. However, we would certainly support this in line with efforts to conserve the species.
	We are committed to the conservation of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), which in the United Kingdom are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Cetaceans have not been kept in UK zoos or aquariums for over a decade and so there is currently no need to consider a moratorium.